CTNBio, the Brazilian Biosafety Technical Commission stated that the genetically modified soybeans meet the standards and the Biosafety law for the environment and agriculture, as well as human and animal health.
This decision will allow BASF and Embrapa to bring the new production system with the brand name Cultivance® to Brazilian farmers.
Both companies are now seeking the approval for this technology in key export markets, such as China and the US.
Brazil developed
Cultivance® is the first genetically modified crop developed in Brazil, from laboratory to commercialization.
The approval is the result of more than 10 years of successful cooperation between Embrapa and BASF, who provides the herbicide.
The Cultivance® Production System combines herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties with BASF’s broad spectrum imidazolinone class of herbicides, tailored to regional conditions.
The production system will be launched in Brazil from 2011/2012 season onwards. Additionally, there is a significant interest in developing this technology adjusted to local needs of neighbouring countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.
The partner companies are working to meet the requirements of the regulatory authorities in these countries and the approval could be obtained as early as two years after the Brazilian market launch.
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